Story by Yolanda Moyo
PERMANENT Representatives to the United Nations have expressed admiration for Zimbabwe’s natural heritage and development trajectory following a familiarisation tour that concluded at Victoria Falls, in a move seen as strengthening the country’s push for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
The visit to the country’s tourism capital provided a strategic platform to showcase Zimbabwe’s “Open for Business” policy, highlighting the integration of environmental conservation and high-value economic activity as part of broader national development efforts.
The delegates commended Zimbabwe’s approach to balancing conservation with economic growth, describing the country’s natural assets as key to sustainable development and global cooperation.
“This is a remarkable natural asset and what stands out is the opportunity to balance conservation with economic growth that benefits local communities,” Deputy Permanent Representative of Portugal to the UN, Mr Jorge Aranda said.
“The hospitality and the infrastructure we have encountered are world-class. It is vital for us to see this side of Zimbabwe, a nation that is open for business and ready to lead,” Permanent Representative of Vanuatu to the UN Ambassador Odo Tevi said.
“For small island and developing nations, seeing Zimbabwe’s strategy for climate resilience in such a vital water-based economy is highly instructive,” Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the UN, Dr Neil Parsan said.
“What stands out is the balance between environmental protection and infrastructure development, which is critical in ensuring long-term benefits for future generations,” Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Moldova to the UN Ms Corina Moroi said.
Standing against the backdrop of Mosi-oa-Tunya, delegates also praised Zimbabwe’s tourism offering and hospitality.
“I have to say it is just an extremely impressive experience. It shows us the wonders of nature, the beauty of nature. The message is, please go and visit Zimbabwe, and please meet the people with their warm hospitality. We are feeling so welcome here. The program is so fantastic, and I can only encourage everyone to come and see with their own eyes what Zimbabwe has to offer, both natural beauties but also very, very nice people that have also extremely good food for you to prepare,” Deputy Permanent Representative of Austria to the UN, Mr Stefan Pretterhofer said.
Speaking on the strategic importance of the visit, Zimbabwe’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Taonga Mushayavanhu, emphasised that the tour has successfully dismantled misconceptions about the country.
“This visit has allowed the Permanent Representatives to engage with the reality of Zimbabwe’s progress on the ground. Zimbabwe’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2027-2028 term is anchored on principles of peace, sustainable development, and multilateral cooperation, adding that showcasing key national assets such as Victoria Falls reinforces the country’s commitment to the global sustainable development agenda,” he said.
With the United Nations Security Council elections scheduled for June, Zimbabwe continues to position itself as a credible candidate for the 2027-2028 United Nations Security Council term, a move expected to amplify the voice of the Global South on the world stage.
